This paper reports a study on elementary students' ideas regarding changes in mass associated with melting. An open-ended probe was designed and distributed to fifth-grade students (n = 230). In addition, 50 students were asked their reasons behind predictions on mass change. The written responses indicate that, despite conventional teaching,…

A 14-item questionnaire was given to 100 students in preservice training to become primary and secondary education faculty. Results showed that science and non-science majors held a series of misconceptions about several basic topics central to astronomy. The changes in astronomy misconceptions were analyzed by means of a written questionnaire…

The purpose of this study is to research the effect of the application of "reproduction, growth and development in living things" unit which takes place in the science and technology lesson programme of 6th grade students in the primary school to the success of the student by applying the laboratory method. Also another purpose is to…

This work describes an experimental research on note taking and concept mapping in a science class of 5 graders in Kayseri (Central Anatolia, Turkey) in the academic year 2002-2003. Gained results are in favor of convictions that view note taking as an effective learning strategy. At least it was more effective than concept mapping in the…

This work describes an experimental research on note taking and concept mapping in a science class of 5 graders in Kayseri (Central Anatolia, Turkey) in the academic year 2002 - 2003. Gained results are in favor of convictions that view note taking as an effective learning strategy. At least it was more effective than concept mapping in the…

In this study our purpose is to determine how the teachers are applying the constructivist approach in their classes by classifying the teachers according to graduated faculty, department and their years in the duty. Besides understanding the difference of the effects of constructivist approach and traditional education method on student success…

National and international indicators show that there is a big inadequacy in science and technology education in Turkey as compared to other countries. This important problem affects the young students' structure of thinking perspective and perceptions of nature in a wrong way. The problems in science and technology education will block creative…

The purpose of this research project was to determine the effects of incorporating concept mapping on the achievement of fifth grade students in science class. The study was conducted with twenty-three students at Ata Elementary School, Trabzon, Turkey. The students were tested with teacher-constructed pre- and post tests containing 20…

In this study our purpose is to determine how the teachers are applying the structuralist approach in their classes by classifying the teachers according to graduated faculty, department and their years in the duty. Besides understanding the difference of the effects of structuralist approach and traditional education method on student's success…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which primary science teachers understand the new reform implemented in Turkey and to examine their perceptions regarding science instruction. Thus, it could be possible to show an accurate picture of what is currently happening in primary science classrooms and identify the kind of…

This study investigated the validation of Turkish version of the Teacher Communication Behavior Questionnaire (TCBQ) in a cross-study of elementary school science classrooms. The effects of gender and grade level on students' perceptions of their teachers' behaviors were also examined. Questionnaire includes five scales namely challenging,…

Individual differences play an essential role in teaching and learning. Students differ in their learning styles which indicate the way they learn. The purpose of this study was to determine pre-service teachers' learning style preferences and investigate whether there was a significant difference between males and females in their learning…

The superposition principle is used to explain many phenomena in physics. Incomplete knowledge about this topic at a basic level leads to physics students having problems in the future. As long as prospective physics teachers have difficulties in the subject, it is inevitable that high school students will have the same difficulties. The aim of…

The aims of this study were considered under three headings. The first was to elicit misconceptions that students had about the terms "solute", "solvent" and "solution." The second was to understand how students' prior learning affected their misconceptions. The third was to determine if students were able to make a…

Teacher efficacy has been one of the few variables consistently related to positive teaching behavior and student outcomes. Teacher efficacy can also be related with teacher's classroom management approaches (Henson, 2001). The purpose of this study was to assess differences between Turkish elementary and secondary preservice teachers' science…